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We all know that obesity is a leading risk factor for some of the nation’s most complicated and costly chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. The human costs are staggering.

As the nation looks toward controlling health care costs, no workable agenda can ignore the pressing issue of combating obesity in America. After smoking, which causes an estimated 400,000 deaths annually, weight-related conditions are the second leading cause of death in the U.S., resulting in about 300,000 preventable deaths each year.

New research from Stanford University has added to a growing body of evidence warning of the ill effects of sleep deprivation. Their study discovered that the body’s peak disease battling immune system activity occurs at night, while the immune system is weakest during the day.

The mechanics of weight loss are misunderstood by the general population. Consider that during the 1960’s America did not have an obesity problem yet 40 years later 2 out of every 3 US adults is classified as overweight with more than half of that population termed obese (CDC).

What Changed in 40 Years? Surprisingly, not our diets. Weight loss always focuses on the food yet Americans consume only 100 calories more now than during the 1960’s. Activity changed. We now burn 700 calories LESS than we did during that time period. That 800 calorie swing is equivalent to 1.6 lbs of weight gain a week!

The are a few treadmill desks on the market now ranging in price from $479 to as much as $6,500. Treadmill desks are in use at major corporations such as GlaxoSmithKline, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, and Best Buy. Why?